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THE SOVEREIGN SOCIETY OFFSHORE A-LETTER
Your Link to Freedom, Privacy & Prosperity in the Offshore World
Tuesday, October 5, 2004 - Vol. 6 No. 190
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In This Issue:
* COMMENT: The Trans-Atlantic Gap.
* OFFSHORE: EU Threatens Tax Havens. Kerry Pledges War on Tax Havens.
Swiss Knock Anti-Haven Rept. Swiss Split; Right Wins. Bahamas-US OK.
* WEALTH: China Float. Asian Hedge Boom. UK Taxes. Costa Rica Problems.
Bush Pushes Netherlands, Barbados Tax Treaties.
* PRIVACY & RIGHTS: PATRIOT Act Compliance. Canada Card Threat.
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COMMENT: The Trans-Atlantic Gap.
Dear A-Letter Reader:
Last week I traveled about 15,000 miles by car and plane on a business
trip to Sovereign Society headquarters in beautiful Waterford, Ireland.
But I might as well have been on the moon based on the very different
impressions I gained about America from British and Irish television
and newspapers.
I have traveled all over the world, so I know better than to expect that
foreign opinion will ever approach in the slightest the high opinion we
chauvinistic Americans have of ourselves. But even following for our
own self conceit, it was more than a bit disconcerting to hear the
constant carping against the U.S., our part in the war in Iraq, and the
exceptional venom directed towards President George Bush.
Indeed, I watched the presidential debate live on UK TV and the 'expert'
media assessments the next day had Sen. Kerry all but elected president.
I wondered if the experts had seen the same debate I saw.
I often comment on the overall issue of Europe vs. American, because
that is the perspective many EU and European national leaders encourage.
They claim the EU will out produce, out strip, our grow the U.S. in
every respect. But all the facts are contrary; in areas of jobs,
economic growth and productivity, the US excels while Europe falls
farther behind. And the reasons for this disparity can be found in the
EU's over regulation, high taxes, restrictive labor laws and welfare
state socialism.
I found Ireland and its people (my first visit there) charming. Going
through Heathrow was the usual trip through the Airport from Hell, but
a road trip from Cork to Waterford was good for my adrenaline, if not
my nerves.
During a nine hour flight home I sat next to a middle aged Greek-
American who said he became a US citizen after moving to south Florida
over 20 years ago. He has done so well in America in business he now
commutes regularly to Greece where he is building a major resort
project. "But," he said, "I will always come home to America. What a
great country this is where so many very different people can live
together, disagree, yet act as one nation. In Europe hardly any nation
has such unity or spirit." Exactly!
Travel, yes, it does broaden the mind -- if you keep your mind open.
That's the way that it looks from here.
BOB BAUMAN, Editor
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LINK: http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/190STHOW/W190EA02/